Testing The Idle Air Control Valve (1997-2001 2.0L Honda CR-V)

TEST 2: Testing The IAC Valve's Performance

In this test section, we're gonna' apply battery 12 Volts and battery Ground to the idle air control valve and listen for an audible click.

If the IAC valve makes an audible "clicking" sound, then we can conclude that it's working correctly (and thus not stuck in an open/closed position).

IMPORTANT: Use a fused jumper wire that has insulated alligator clips. This will help you avoid shorting the jumper wires while performing the test. For more info on how to make a fused jumper wire, see this section: How To Make A Fused Jumper Wire.

NOTE: You should use a new IAC valve gasket when you re-install the valve. Also, you should not use any RTV sealant (or any other type of sealant) on the gasket, since the gasket is installed dry.

The part number, for the IAC valve gasket is: Honda OEM Part Number: 36455-PM3-J01. Depending on where you buy it, it'll cost between US$3.00 to US$7.00.

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Remove the IAC valve from the intake manifold.

2. 2

   Using a fused jumper wire, connect the IAC valve male terminal labeled with the number 1 to the battery positive (+) post.
   
   IMPORTANT: Your fused jumper wire should have an insulated alligator clip on the end connecting to the IAC valve's male terminal.
   
   This is an important safety precaution, do not proceed to the next step if your fused jumper wire does not have an insulated alligator clip.

3. 3

   Connect the IAC valve male terminal labeled with the number 2 to the battery negative (-) post.
   
   Your jumper wire should have an insulated alligator clip on the end connecting to the IAC valve's male terminal (see illustration above).

4. 4

   You should hear the IAC valve click as soon as you connect the terminal labeled with the number 2 to the battery negative (-) post.

Let's analyze your test result:

CASE 1: The IAC valve made an audible click as indicated in the test instructions. This is the correct and expected test result and it lets you know that the idle air control valve is OK (mechanically speaking).

Your next step is to clean the IAC valve. Go to: How To Clean The Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve (1997-2001 2.0L Honda CR-V).

CASE 2: The IAC valve DID NOT make an audible click as indicated in the test instructions. This test result lets you know that the IAC valve is bad and needs to be replaced.

If a P0505 trouble code is lighting up the check engine light, then replacing the IAC valve should solve it.

How To Make A Fused Jumper Wire

Using a fused jumper for TEST 2 is the safest way to test the idle air control valve.

Making a fused jumper wire is easy. You're gonna' need 2 female vinyl insulated terminals, 2 pieces of wire, and a 5 or 10 Amp fuse.

The jumper wire should resemble the fused jumper wire in the illustration above.

More 2.0L Honda CR-V Tutorials

You can find a complete list of tutorials here: Honda 2.0L Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find there:

• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1997-2001 2.0L Honda CR-V).
• How To Test The Ignition Coil (1999-2001 2.0L Honda CR-V).
• How To Test The TPS (1997-2001 2.0L Honda CR-V).
• How To Test The MAP Sensor (1997-2001 2.0L Honda CR-V).
• How To Test Engine Compression (1997-2001 2.0L Honda).